What happens to category III codes?

Category III CPT codes are temporary codes for emerging technology, services, and procedures that are not yet widely used or FDA approved, and what happens to them is they are tracked for 5 years and then either become Category I, renewed, or deleted. CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology maintained by AMA. Category III codes start with letter T or have four digits ending with T, like 0402T, and are used to collect data on new procedures like new robotic surgeries or genetic tests, allowing insurers to track utilization without assigning full reimbursement value. After up to 5 years, the AMA reviews data, if procedure becomes common, clinically effective, and performed by many providers, it can be converted to Category I code with established reimbursement value. If still experimental but with some use, it may be extended for another 5 years as Category III. If procedure is proven ineffective, obsolete, or not performed, Category III code is deleted and archived. Category III codes are optional for billing and often not reimbursed or reimbursed at low rate, but they allow tracking. Unlike Category II codes which are for quality tracking, Category III codes are for emerging tech. Hospitals use them to document innovative treatments. So Category III codes are transitional, they either graduate to permanent Category I, get extended, or sunset after data collection period ends.